We are so thrilled to be able to connect with some of the brightest and most inspiring entrepreneurs and creatives from across the city and beyond and this series in particular gives us the honor of introducing these folks to you in a unique way – we go beyond the story of how they got to where they are today by asking them to reflect on a variety of deeper questions that we hope will help you better connect with them, their stories and their brands. Ultimately, our hope is that more of us will spend more of our money with independent artists, creatives and small businesses and we think getting to know one another at a deeper level is step one.
Stevie Sparks
I think it’s a little of both right now. I still live with some very high internalized standards that I’m trying to break down so I can rebuild my own, but I know making music is a large part of my purpose in life. Read more>>
Brittney BOBBIE DeMars
As a child, and honestly even into adulthood, I believed I ‘needed’ to be PERFECT. I believed I always has to be seen as capable and reliable, and that asking for help was a sign of weakness. I believed others perceived me as perfect so long as I didn’t let them see the real, the vulnerable, the ‘weak’ side of me. Read more>>
Trevor (Tre) North
The first 90 minutes of my day are quiet, intentional, and centered. Before I open my phone or jump into tasks, I start with prayer and a moment of gratitude – just acknowledging God for another day and asking Him to steady my mind. Read more>>
Marina Kay
A common misconception is that I “teach breathing exercises.” In reality, my work helps women stop abandoning themselves, rewrite old patterns, and rebuild the internal safety needed for powerful leadership. Breathwork is the medium, but identity, confidence, and self trust are the result. What’s misunderstood about my breathwork business is how deeply transformational this work actually is. Read more>>
Jodie King
A lot of people assume I just teach others how to paint. And yes, painting is the medium but it’s never been the point. What I really teach is how to come back to yourself. Creativity is one of the most powerful tools we have for mental health, self-expression, and emotional resilience. Read more>>
Erin Hoy
I think the biggest misunderstanding about my legacy will be the assumption that personal branding is about popularity. When people hear “digital presence,” they often jump straight to likes, followers, or being loud online—and for many women, that idea feels deeply uncomfortable. Read more>>
Meg Jerit
My relationship with nature transformed my understanding of myself. When my concept of home collapsed in high school, I felt without direction. But there was a deep compass that kept leading me to the forests of Shelby Farms in Memphis. When my schemas of self, religion, and family shattered, nature was what held me and helped me see myself more clearly. Read more>>
Maria Govoni
Honestly, and this may sound a little strange, but I felt true joy very recently at my grandmother’s funeral. She lived 97 years and left a legacy of 5 children, 15 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. She lived her life full of joy and gratitude and she made each one of us feel special, seen and loved. Read more>>
kristen taylor
As a kid, I always had this deep love for music and expressing myself through writing — even if it was just writing my emotions in a diary. It’s always been my source of therapy. I remember watching American Idol with my mom, dreaming I could somehow swap places with the person on the screen, singing on a stage. Read more>>
